Hodgson lays the ghost of Wilkinson

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre believes that England will see the best of fly-half Charlie Hodgson in the autumn series of games against Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.

The latest setback to afflict Jonny Wilkinson, sidelined for six weeks after an appendix operation, means that Hodgson is a certainty to start in the No 10 shirt in November, a role he has filled with varying degrees of success since the World Cup. He had a particularly off-day with his goal-kicking against Australia last year.

Hodgson, 24, was one of only a few players to return from the Lions tour to New Zealand with reputation enhanced even though he was passed over for the Test series.

"Charlie is getting better and better," Saint-Andre said. "England will benefit from that. The Lions tour showed that he is now more mature. The ghost of Wilkinson was with him a bit last year but Charlie has grown stronger in his character. His defence is more physical, more aggressive. He no longer waits there. He goes forward more quickly and that makes the tackle easier."

Hodgson played second fiddle to Stephen Jones and Wilkinson on the Lions tour even though the all-round menace of his attacking play in the midweek team in particular drew favourable notices. He seems to have acquired a harder edge, and lacked for nothing by comparison with Wilkinson when scoring 21 points against Newcastle on the opening weekend of the Premiership.

"He has more experience and knows that he has to be the boss out on the field," said Saint-Andre.

Former France and Saracens prop Christian Califano has been ordered to pay €150,000 by a labour tribunal for breaking his contract with Toulouse to join the north London club in 2002.